Dr. Charlotte Palmer is a new lecturer in the Centre for Plasma Physics at Queen’s University Belfast.  Charlotte conducts research into astrophysical phenomena using laboratory-based experiments.  These utilise high power and high intensity lasers to create conditions found in extreme astrophysical environments.  Charlotte has been working with high power lasers for over a decade since starting her PhD at Imperial College London, holding positions at Desy (Germany), and Lancaster and Oxford Universities .  Her recent work has focused on the role of magnetic fields in plasma dynamics and cosmic ray propagation.  At QUB she will be continuing this work with a focus on developing the experimental components and procedures to exploit new high repetition rate laser facilities for a deeper understanding of fundamental phenomena.